Welsh councils must be more radical and ambitious implementing active travel, they were told yesterday by Transport Deputy Minister Lee Waters. Speaking at a workshop in Cardiff, Lee Waters warned authorities that the latest round of funding will reward ambitious ideas rather than be based solely on geographical spread, and he pledged to support those councils who need help in improving their … [Read more...]
Role of HGVs is given light thought by Government
The primary role of the lorry in urban freight has been ignored once again in a major policy publication, says FTA, the organisation which speaks for the logistics sector, following publication of the Department for Transport’s 'Future of mobility: urban strategy' paper. According to Christopher Snelling, FTA’s Head of UK Policy, the document fails to make a single substantive mention of HGVs, … [Read more...]
Potholes take a pounding on road users
Councils repaired 1.86 million potholes over the last 12 months, more than 20% increase on the previous year. The Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey found that highway maintenance budgets have increased from an average of £20.6m to £24.5m year-on-year, mostly "patch and mend" repairs. The report estimated that councils would actually need to spend £1bn a year for the next … [Read more...]
Transport review poses new safety fears
With a wide-ranging review of transport laws announced by the government this week, IAM RoadSmart has warned that the rise in the use of electric scooters alongside vehicles on our roads is bad news for road safety. The Department for Transport revealed its report 'Future of mobility: urban strategy' today, which is described as the biggest regulatory review in a generation to explore … [Read more...]
Newslines 18 March
Volkswagen will cut up to 7,000 positions, boost productivity and deliver 5.9 billion euros of annual savings at its core VW brand by 2023, in its latest attempt to raise profitability at its top-selling division. It anticipates the jobs to be taken out of administrative roles but acknowledges it will need less assembly workers as it moves towards more electric vehicles and will review its … [Read more...]
Cleddau tolls end this month
Cleddau Bridge tolls will end this month. From 1 April, motorists will be able to drive over the Milford Haven estuary for the first time since it was opened to traffic – 44 years ago almost to the day – without being subjected to a cost. The structure spans the deep estuary which divides Pembrokeshire into two parts. Built to provide a 24-hour solution to the vehicular ferry traditionally … [Read more...]
Majority of motorists admit regularly speeding
With Google Maps releasing an update that notifies drivers when the speed limit changes, research reveals that nearly 70% of British drivers are already knowingly driving over the speed limit. Speeding is by far the nation’s most common driving offence, with over two million reported offences in 2016. But despite the threat of hefty fines, points on a licence, and the very real risk to … [Read more...]
Newslines 5 March
Volvo will limit the top speed of its models to 112mph (180kph) from 2020. It’s also considering electronically reducing speed around schools and hospitals without the driver intervening. Three consecutive months of price reductions on the UK’s forecourts came to a crashing halt in February as both petrol and diesel went up. Data from RAC Fuel Watch shows the UK average price of a litre … [Read more...]
Newslines 26 February
Ahead of one of the busiest months for car insurance renewals with the plate change, research by GoCompare Car Insurance reveals millions of motorists are over-paying to the tune of £1.23bn a year for their car cover by allowing their insurer to automatically renew their policy. At their last renewal 4.6 million drivers rolled-over their insurance without checking to see if they could get the … [Read more...]
Potholes reach down 1km under Wales
As the UK recovers from a burst of ice and snow, more and more potholes may start to appear on roads in Wales – a dreaded issue for both motorists and local councils. A new scrolling animation highlights just how much of an issue potholes cause for motorists in Wales, as the problem is revealed to stretch almost 1km deep. New Freedom of Information data obtained by Confused.com reveals … [Read more...]